Rural Dislocated Worker Summit
On September 2, 2004, the Rural Dislocated Worker Summit brought together 150 people to discuss the challenges that dislocated workers face and the implications that long-term unemployment and wage losses have for rural North Carolinians. Those attending included leaders in state and local workforce development, economic development and nonprofits, and dislocated workers themselves.
The Rural Center was joined in organizing the event by the N.C. Community College System, N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Commission on Workforce Development and N.C. Employment Security Commission. Together, they sought to:
- Build momentum for organizations that serve dislocated workers to take unified action to help those laid off in rural North Carolina.
- Present new research on the current status of dislocated workers and the programs, practices and policies designed to assist them.
- Lay groundwork for an action agenda for dislocated workers.
The summit offered a combination of formal presentations and breakout discussions. Among the featured speakers were Howard Rosen, executive director of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Coalition, and top state executives of the North Carolina Community College System, Employment Security Commission and the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development.
News coverage of the summit: Rural Routes
